Welcome to Season 3 of Contemplating Resonance, launching on the Equinox—a moment of balance between light and dark. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s Ostara, a time of renewal and awakening. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s Mabon, a season of reflection and release. No matter where you are, this shift invites us to honor transformation. This season, we’re diving deep into the intersections of psychology, spirituality, queerness, and personal power. From egregores to energy healing, techno-fascism to tarot, each episode invites you to explore the unseen forces shaping our reality. Let’s begin again, together. 🍃✨
Summary
In this episode, I sit down with Jess Karels, also known as The Mystic Geek, for a wide-ranging conversation about their journey from Jehovah’s Witness to eclectic witch. Jess shares the history of Paganistan, a nickname for the vibrant and diverse pagan community in the Twin Cities, and how their own path wove through evangelical Christianity, Catholic mysticism, and ultimately into witchcraft. We discuss the power of reclaiming spiritual autonomy and how navigating multiple traditions helped Jess find what truly resonates.
Our discussion takes a deep dive into egregores—the collective psychic entities that emerge from shared belief and group identity. Jess explains how these unseen forces shape everything from religions to nations to fandoms, influencing behavior and maintaining control in ways most people never recognize. We also examine the intersection of spirituality and skepticism, exploring how belief and critical thinking can coexist in the practice of magic and manifestation.
As we wrap up, Jess and I reflect on the ever-evolving nature of spiritual practice and the importance of self-awareness in shaping personal and collective realities. From exploring magic with a structured, academic lens to recognizing the hidden currents of power in society, this episode is a deep and thought-provoking ride. If you’ve ever questioned the forces behind religious systems, cultural movements, or even celebrity worship, this conversation will give you plenty to ponder.
Takeaways
• Spirituality and skepticism are not mutually exclusive—critical thinking can deepen magical practice.
• Egregores are powerful collective entities shaped by shared belief, influencing everything from religion to pop culture.
• Reclaiming spiritual autonomy often means unlearning the control mechanisms of high-demand systems.
• Personal spiritual paths can evolve through many traditions, from evangelical Christianity to witchcraft.
• Self-awareness is key to navigating both magical and mundane systems of influence and power.
Quoteables
Egregores don’t care if you believe in them—they thrive on your attention.
– Jess KarelsYou can be a skeptic and still practice magic—belief doesn’t have to be blind. – Jess Karels
Leaving high-control religion isn’t just walking away from doctrine—it’s reclaiming your ability to think for yourself. – Matt Stine
Paganistan gave me the space to be weird, spiritual, and queer—without needing to explain any of it. – Jess Karels
Systems of power survive by making you think you chose them. – Jess Karels
Notes
Egregores: The Occult Entities That Watch Over Human Destiny by Mark Stavish
True Magick by Amber K
Elemental Witchcraft: A Guide to Living a Magickal Life Through the Elements by Heron Michelle
The Southern Gothic Oracle by Stacey Williams-Ng
The Mystic Geek (Jess Karels’ Website & Socials)
🌐 Website
Spiritual AF Sundays (Jess Karels’ Podcast)
🎙️ Podcast Link
Llewellyn Publishing (Major Publisher of Pagan & Occult Books, Based in Minnesota)
📖 Website
Chapters
• 00:00 - Welcome to Season 3
Matt introduces Season 3 of Contemplating Resonance, launching on the Equinox, and previews the themes of the new season.
• 02:29 - The Origin of Paganistan
Jess shares the history of Paganistan, the nickname for the Twin Cities’ vibrant pagan community, and its impact on modern witchcraft.
• 10:15 - Contemplative Christianity and Witchcraft
A discussion on how Christian mysticism, contemplative practices, and witchcraft can overlap in unexpected ways.
• 17:09 - Nostalgia, Anxiety, and the Modern World
Matt and Jess explore how nostalgia influences spirituality and how anxiety shapes the way we engage with religious traditions.
• 22:45 - Jess’s Journey: From Jehovah’s Witness to Witchcraft
Jess recounts their personal path from being raised Jehovah’s Witness to exploring evangelical Christianity, Catholic mysticism, and ultimately witchcraft.
• 32:27 - Theology, Evangelicalism, and the Search for Truth
A deep dive into the theological roots of evangelicalism and how they shape belief systems, both inside and outside religious institutions.
• 41:38 - Evolving Beliefs and the Messy Origins of Modern Witchcraft
Jess and Matt discuss the ever-changing nature of witchcraft, its eclectic origins, and the importance of questioning foundational beliefs.
• 47:24 - The Skeptical Approach to Manifestation
Jess explains how magic and manifestation can be practiced with a skeptical, critical-thinking mindset rather than blind belief.
• 57:36 - Understanding Egregores and Collective Thoughtforms
A deep dive into egregores—how shared belief creates powerful collective entities that shape cultures, religions, and even fandoms.
• 1:05:25 - Nations, Identities, and the Power of Shared Belief
The conversation expands into how egregores operate in politics, nationalism, and the formation of cultural identities.
• 1:10:11 - How to Connect with Jess Karels
Jess shares where listeners can find their work, including The Mystic Geek blog and Spiritual AF Sundays podcast.
• 1:18:07 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More
Matt wraps up the episode with final reflections and encourages listeners to embrace curiosity and self-exploration on their spiritual journeys.f self-compassion and supportive communities in the healing process.
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